Cooper Family Reunion

The Cooper Family Reunion was held in the Finger Lakes region of NY state in 2011. Beth identified a number of likely rentals and we collectively chose a location on Keuka Lake. We rented 4 different houses spanning about a mile overall, and planned to spend much of our time at the one Roger, Carol, and Gerry rented with around 200' of shoreline (aka 'anchor house'). Thank you, Lisa, for the iconic photos.

Ready to head out.

Lisa took Alan, Sarah, and Chris in her car.

Alan enjoyed his new Star Wars quiz book.

Very nice rest area at Chautauqua Lake.

Much to our surprise, Grandpa pulled up shortly after we did.

This house was home for the week to Glen, Anne, Lisa, Sarah, Chris, Jenny, David, Roger, Alan, and Steph.

It had a reasonable kitchen, although we didn't use it for much besides breakfast. Mushrooms had sprouted in the upstairs bathroom, but it was otherwise quite clean and acceptable.

Playing on the Wii before heading out for the day.

Looking down the hill from the house to Keuka Lake. The Blatniks rented the house right across the road and on the same rental property, so we shared lake access.

The front of the Blatnik's home for the week. It had 2 bedrooms, and ours had 6, so Steph camped out with us.

Looking past the Blatnik's house to the dock.

Touring the back porch.

Jen and Steph.

We brought the first night's meal with us. Glen had smoked a turkey and several chickens and I'd made 18lbs of potato salad the day before.

We generally did dinners together, frequently at the house Roger, Carol, and Gerry had rented.

The cousins get reacquainted and catch up.

Figuring out group activities.

Uncle Gerry

Sam

Jenny

Steph, Megan, and Jen

Sarah and Uncle Roger

Lisa and Sarah

Glen, Gerry, Roger

Uncle Gerry

Alan and Jenny skipping stones.

Sunday morning relaxing at the 'anchor house'.

Jenny and David.

Glen, Sarah, and Chris retrieved the rowboat that came with our rental and brought it over to the anchor house.

Uncle Roger drops a line in off the dock.

The Freys brought their kayaks along.

Jen and Joe take out the kayaks.

A bit of bocce.

The beach at the anchor house.

From the northwest corner of the lot.

From the southwest corner.

Yes, it's a large lot, with a very nice expanse of lake access.

There's a horseshoe pit along part of the beach.

Nice form!

Joe.

Chris takes a turn.

Ducklings...

Lesson time.

Now to practice.

Alan and David spent a lot of time together.

They both like the games Alan has on his DS.

Glen and Grandpa enjoying the sunset.

Yes, we're in Amish country. These were spotted on some of our daytime expeditions.

It was about 1/2 mile between the houses, an easy hike for the kids.

Uncle Roger and Aunt Laurie take a guitar break.

Sunday, we all gathered at the Freys' house for dinner.

Quietly waiting for the call to get food.

The kids table.

Alan continues to enjoy Obsessed with Star Wars.

Rain on Monday inspired Chris to teach us how to play dominoes.

Glen enjoying his new Xoom.

Carol is already working on compiling the week's pictures.

Storm over the lake.

The wind kicks up whitecaps.

Monday we headed in to Pen Yan for dinner at Lloyd's Limited.

Grandma dances around a lightpole after dinner.

Alan decided to go formal for taco night, served by the Blatniks.

Lisa was amused by the rainbow of colors on our family.

Fish night.

Carol put her crew to work dipping and breading fish fillets.

Chris said they had the best seats in the house -- the food was right above them in easy reach.

Tom enjoys some downtime.

Sunsets could be beautiful over the lake.

Roger, a study in reds.

Alan feeds the fish, while Lisa checks out the Rapunzel-style lantern kit.

Lasagne dinner Thursday after an afternoon hiking around Watkins Glen.

Some kind of poker game with peanuts for chips.

Roger was winning when I checked.

The Finger Lakes region is known for its wineries.

So several family members had to check some out.

Alan spotted this bird (dove?) in the parking lot as we were packing up.

Chickory -- it's pretty, even if generally designated a weed.

Just as we did heading out, we met up by surprise with Grandpa and his carload at a rest stop on the return trip.

Lunch at McDonalds on the way home.

Once home, we made pizza Saturday night before the group had to disperse for home.

As a bonus, Jon joined us. He couldn't make the reunion because he had a work commitment to complete, but he'd flown in Saturday morning for a bit of visit in Ohio.